Donald Gene DeGraw

Donald Gene DeGraw, 75, took the hand of Jesus and entered the gates of Heaven at 10:40 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at his home in Neosho, Mo., following a battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 18, 1935, in Taloga, Okla., to Melvin and Verda (Carter) DeGraw. Mr. DeGraw lived most of his life in the Southwest Missouri area, and worked as a contract administrator for the U.S. Government. He had owned and operated A-1 Equipment and Suburban Farm Equipment. He loved farming and tractors. Donald and Jenene (Vaughan) DeGraw were married May 15, 1954, in Lovington, N.M.; Jenene survives as well as three children, Gary DeGraw and wife, Mary, Carl Junction, Mo., Nancy Brownen and husband, Terry, Seneca, Mo., and Butch DeGraw, Neosho; a brother, Jim DeGraw and wife, Caroline, Holland; seven grandchildren, John DeGraw, David DeGraw, Bryan Boman, Brad DeGraw, Hailey DeGraw, Jordan Brownen and Tiana Brownen; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Clark Chapel of Memories, with Pastor Jim Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in Granby Memorial Cemetery. Grandsons, John DeGraw, David DeGraw, Bryan Boman, Brad DeGraw and Jordan Brownen, will serve as pallbearers. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Online condolences may be posted at www.clarkfuneralhomes.com Arrangements under direction of Clark Funeral Home, Neosho.